Garden City, MI vs Waterloo, IA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Garden City
80.2
#88 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Garden City leads in crime level (7.7 vs 13.0). Waterloo leads in average commute (16.5 min vs 26.7 min). Garden City leads in walk score (50 vs 37).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Garden City, MI | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 80.2 (#88) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 26,325 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $207,556 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $63,630 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 26.7 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | 50 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 7.7 | 13.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+29.0 | D+1.2 |
B-
80.2 Score
Garden City, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$207,556
Population
26,325
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
50
Midwest
View Garden City, MI →
B-
81.8 Score
Waterloo, IA
Iowa community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$149,005
Population
66,606
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
37
Midwest
View Waterloo, IA →
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